Alt-eration Ale - Hops & Grain

jwff

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +11.3%

01-28-2013 21:24:08 | More by jwff

jl28r1

Texas

3.25/5  rDev -14.9%

05-18-2013 16:11:44 | More by jl28r1

valkyre65

Texas

4/5  rDev +4.7%

05-14-2013 16:51:44 | More by valkyre65

goochpunch

Texas

2.39/5  rDev -37.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 1.75

Appearance is typical brown ale-ish. Smells a lot like a mix of Shiner Bock and a brown. Taste just does not hit altbier on the head enough. I'm not too stuck on "style," but when you say this is an altbier, and I get my tastebuds ready for an altbier, it better be an altbier. This tastes like a Shiner Bock with hints of brown ale, which is cool and all, but I want a real altbier, dammit. Too toasty. Oh, TX brewers, this tastes like the "old ale" from Southern Star. I'm starting to think US brewers just like the NAMES of STYLES and like to tag them to their random half-assed homebrew concoctions. Mouthfeel is so-so. Can't really describe it, just kind of there. Not crazy about this.

Serving type: can

05-10-2013 00:43:35 | More by goochpunch

st9647v3

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +4.7%

05-07-2013 00:53:36 | More by st9647v3

tastymug

Ohio

3/5  rDev -21.5%

05-06-2013 22:15:19 | More by tastymug

twiggamortis420

Texas

3.56/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

12 oz can pours a gorgeous brown color with good clarity and a thick froth of tan head. Decent retention and great lacing...swiss cheese-esque even.

Malts are nutty and roasty, maybe a kiss of grassy hops. It almost has even a smoky component to it that is nice. Pretty mild aroma overall.

Taste has some nice nut and coffee flavors and the mouthfeel is rich for an alt with barely a touch of sweetness. It is a tad on the astringent side though and just needs a bit more caramel and sugary malt to even things out. Not too shabby, I'll probably pick this up every once and a while, but I dont see it making it into the regular rotation.

Serving type: can

04-30-2013 23:54:29 | More by twiggamortis420

ShameAndFailure

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +11.3%

04-26-2013 22:52:19 | More by ShameAndFailure

drinkAK

Texas

4/5  rDev +4.7%

04-20-2013 22:01:27 | More by drinkAK

Pesci

Texas

3/5  rDev -21.5%

04-19-2013 19:45:10 | More by Pesci

ScubaSteve00

Texas

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%

04-13-2013 17:27:13 | More by ScubaSteve00

JohnBender

Texas

2.5/5  rDev -34.6%

04-12-2013 04:29:02 | More by JohnBender

SmellsofMahagony

Texas

3/5  rDev -21.5%

04-08-2013 03:14:38 | More by SmellsofMahagony

kevinscott

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +11.3%

04-04-2013 15:59:59 | More by kevinscott

dvmin98

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +11.3%

04-02-2013 01:03:25 | More by dvmin98

jbdaves72

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +11.3%

03-26-2013 03:46:37 | More by jbdaves72

coldriver

Texas

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%

03-16-2013 03:01:06 | More by coldriver

JeffSuttonTX

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -8.4%

03-10-2013 20:34:03 | More by JeffSuttonTX

champ103

Texas

4.13/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

On tap at Banger's in Austin.

A: Pours a clear brown color. A two finger beige head forms with good retention. Spotty lace is left down the glass as well.
S: Lager like yeast. Earthy, spicy, peppery. Toasted grains, baked bread. I like the nose.
T: Follows the nose with toasted malt, grains, baked bread. Very dry, lager like yeast with that peppery spice. This reminds me of a schwarzbier. Which I like.
M/D: A light to medium body. Maybe a bit to thin. Though I do like the crisp dryness. Very easy to drink. Enough character to satisfy, and something I can drink all day.

I don't think I have had a true Altbier before, and this one seems pretty legit. Similar to a dark lager or Schwarzbier, and ultra drinkable. Something I would recommend.

Serving type: on-tap

03-05-2013 01:53:02 | More by champ103

Tiernan

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -8.4%

03-01-2013 23:15:28 | More by Tiernan

MiamiRedSkins13

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -8.4%

02-23-2013 01:11:36 | More by MiamiRedSkins13

ThirdEyePA

Texas

4/5  rDev +4.7%

02-07-2013 00:27:54 | More by ThirdEyePA

awalsh

Texas

3.75/5  rDev -1.8%

02-04-2013 02:46:10 | More by awalsh

ChaseTheAce

Texas

4.25/5  rDev +11.3%

01-27-2013 00:42:34 | More by ChaseTheAce

HardTarget

Texas

3.68/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

Appearance: Dark brown amber that shows a bit of light and haze.

Smell: Light sweetness, roasted malt, with a light corn element. Bit of coffee in the roast.

Taste: Mild flavors go a little earthy, malted grain and rain water goodness. Grape jam tannins give a little pucker, and the earthy hops stay far in the background.

Mouthfeel: Low carbonation and slightly heavy body give a cask like experience. Does tend toward the flat side of the spectrum.

Overall: A good beer. Not really banging the style but kudos for expanding the vocabulary and range of styles in beer drinkers. Comes off a little more as a Black Lager (Shiner Bock), but a hefty and more nuanced cousin.
Great opening taste from Hops & Grain, look forward to trying more. Cheers to new breweries in Texas!

Serving type: can

01-24-2013 02:20:31 | More by HardTarget